Thursday, August 25, 2005

Pulling the reins...just a bit...at Army HQ

Army HQ spammed an email today with "OPSEC" in the title to all Army employees, active duty and civilian. It is alleging that soldiers are posting pictures and information on blogs, bulletin boards, internet photo sights, etc...that could unintentionally be giving an "advantage to the enemy."

I'm not going print the entire email for obvious reasons, however, this part is what makes me question the real reason for the email (emphasis mine):

WE ARE NOT LIMITING AUTHORIZED COMMUNICATION (TO INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE USE OF PHOTOS) UNDER EXISTING PUBLIC AFFAIRS GUIDANCE, BUT WE MUST PROTECT PHOTOS THAT REVEAL TO THE ENEMY OUR BATTLE LOSSES, ONGOING FRIENDLY OPERATIONS, TTP, EQUIPMENT VULNERABILITIES, OR DISCLOSE INTELLIGENCE COLLECTION EFFORTS AND METHODS. MOREOVER, WE MUST PROTECT INFORMATION THAT MAY HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON FOREIGN RELATIONS WITH COALITION ALLIES OR WORLD OPINION.

Earlier in July, HQ passed a regulation that all active duty soldiers MUST notify command if they have their own blogger on the net.

Now, of course I agree that common sense must prevail and NO ONE should give out any information that could reveal locations or anything potentially detrimental to life and limb...I seriously doubt most soldiers (if any) are doing that. If it really was a problem, this email would have much stronger wording.

I just find it interesting that this information is coming out of HQ so soon after the ground-swell of support for Cindy Sheehan. Also, it's coming at the same time that the Bush Administration has been stepping up its attacks towards Cindy and anyone openly questioning the war in Iraq. It's also just a week or so after several articles were published about soldier's blogging from the "front lines" and how that information is fueling some who are protesting against the war.

The email is also ambiguous enough that they could pretty much accuse anyone who is stating an opinion contrary to the Administration of having a "negative impact on world opinion."

If what we were doing over there was so "noble," I don't think there would be such a concern over a few soldiers words and photos affecting "world opinion."